Quaid’s Residence in Flames: A National Calamity

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Quetta Residency

The historical residence of the Quaid-e-Azam, in Ziarat, was attacked by militants last night. Reportedly, 4 militants from the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) arrived on two motorcycles. They were also chanting anti-state slogans. They entered the compound and lobbed hand grenades. This resulted in massive damage to the furniture and pictures, and completely destroyed all the historical valuables. Memorial chairs, beds, and historic photographs were burnt to the ground in the resulting fire.

According to the police, “All the old memorials inside the residency have been destroyed.”

In this attack, one policeman, who rushed to the scene upon hearing the blasts, was also killed.

Six more bombs, discovered from the site by the bomb disposal squad, were also reported to be subsequently defused.

The militants, on the other hand, left without a scratch, before any proper security could be recruited to the crime scene.

Ziarat is a tourist spot, in a region plagued with insurgents. A large number of people visit the town & Quaid memorials in the summer.

Ironically, the extreme lack of security resulted in greater damage to this significant site. There were absolutely no guards deployed to protect the valuables within the residency.

In the wake of the current chaotic situation, this attack could be taken as a symbolic one, against the founding father’s residence. It proves that the terrorists in Baluchistan are fighting against the very idea of the ‘state’. The suspects are reported to be from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). BLA is a separatist militant group, based in Balochistan, headed by Hirbyar Marri.

Funded by Indian agencies from across the border, BLA has been involved in the killing of many soldiers and innocent civilians to date.

How significantly the new government will respond, still needs to be seen. This is a test for the Chief Minister, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, who is a Baloch nationalist himself.

At times like these, the nation should remain united against these psychological attacks that should never dent the vision of the Quaid.

PKKH Newsroom

pharmacist/ freelance writer; interests: religion/human psychology; blogs at http://wwe.deadpoetsanctuary.wordpress.com/

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